Shifting Loyalties

by Patti Larsen

  “COVEN LEADER HAYLE.” Her voice boomed through the darkness. I'm sure they heard her in Siberia. “YOU ARE UNDER ARREST. COME QUIETLY OR BE SUBDUED.”

  Yure's smirk slowly returned. He had the nerve to cross his arms over his chest, resting them on the round of his belly under his heavy robes, looking all satisfied. And toad like.

  We'd see about that.

  “Council Leader Applegate.” I kept my tone light, but firm. “What are your charges?”

  She landed on the ground with a thud, vibrating with anger. “I warned you,” she snarled, more beast than witch, “if you broke the law, I'd make sure you paid the price.”

  “I've broken no laws.” I gestured around us. “Feel for yourself.”

  She did. Boy, did she. She searched every blessed inch of the place, my family magic snickering softly to itself as she hunted for traces of witch magic. Blood power. Maji.

  Came up empty.

  Hell yeah.

  “As you are now aware,” I said, adding a nice dose of sarcasm, “I've done nothing but follow your rules since arriving in Europe.”

  She grunted, gestured around her. “You call this,” her voice shook, “following the rules?”

  Well, it was rather spectacular. “An earthquake,” I said, radiating innocence. I was a terrible liar, true, but this wasn't a lie. “Tragic, isn’t it?”

  “A localized earthquake,” she grated between clenched teeth, “that brought down one of the treasured historical buildings of this region.”

  “I know,” I said, pressing one hand to my chest. “Just horrible. You have my condolences on your loss.”

  I shouldn't have been prodding her. I knew I was asking for more trouble. But I just couldn't bring myself to behave.

  “And your invasion of this territory?” Applegate's eyes shone with satisfaction. “You are unwelcome here, Hayle.” I caught a flicker over her shoulder, saw Gwendolyn and Finlay watching, the young witch biting her lip again. “My people were specifically told you were to be escorted off the Czar's property.”

  Tattle tales.

  “Council Leader.” Piers stepped slightly past me, letting go of my hand as he did. “Coven Leader Hayle had nothing to do with this invasion.” He shrugged. “This has been all my doing and I take full responsibility.”

  She scowled at him. “You're young Piers,” she said. “Eva's son.”

  He nodded. “I am. And, as Steam Union, I am outside your purview.”

  She didn't like that. Not one little bit.

  I met Charlotte's eyes as she strode the distance between us. “As the representative of the werewolf nation,” she said, addressing Applegate who spun slowly to stare at my werefriend, “I request freedom from the Black Souls and the right to be called our own people.”

  Go. Charlotte.

  Yure choked, lunged for her. “Never,” he shrieked. “You're mine!”

  Charlotte spun and hit him in the middle of the chest. Not hard. At least, it looked like no more than a love tap. But he went down in a gasping heap.

  Calm, almost serene, she stood over him, my magicks rippling around her.

  “We will be free,” she said. “Even if I have to kill each and every one of your sect in order to ensure my race's liberation.” Chilling, how sweetly she spoke, light and full of life while she threatened his extermination.

  I was just glad she was on my side.

  Applegate knew she was losing control of the situation. I could see the fury working through frustration and hate on her face. Correction, the Brotherhood had to know. Because I could see from the twisting emotions rippling past her eyes she had no intention of letting this pass.

  I didn't give her a chance to speak first, instead pointing at Yure who still fought to regain his wind at Charlotte's feet.

  “You purposely harbor a criminal in your territory,” I said. “One who preys on normals and magical races alike. And autonomous laws aside, it is your responsibility to protect and defend your people from the likes of him.” I gave him my own little prod. Right in the place Charlotte hit him. Heard him groan, turned away as he puked up his guts.

  Charlotte's grin and offer of a high-five told me she knew exactly what I'd done through the mutual magic we now shared. I slapped her open palm with my own smile.

  So nice to have her back.

  Margaret Applegate looked like she was about to explode brain matter all over me. It took her a full thirty seconds to pull her crap together, a long and very telling half a minute in which the gathered Enforcers shifted, uncomfortable and uneasy.

  Maybe they were finally seeing what was happening to their leader. And would do something about it. Or, maybe, like at home, they would just follow orders as per usual.

  Not my problem. At least, not yet.

  “Sydlynn Hayle,” Applegate finally gasped out as she clutched her own chest as though in pain. “You have poked your nose in where it doesn't belong for the last time.”

  The air next to me shuddered into shadow just before Sunny, poised and elegant, emerged from the darkness to stare down Applegate. I felt the rapid approach of dawn—holy, had it really only been one night?—and knew she had little time. Even so, she seemed nonchalant as she, Uncle Frank beside her, came to me and kissed both of my cheeks as though Applegate wasn't even there.

  “My child,” she said, stressing the word in her clear voice. I knew it carried to every pair of ears gathered near. “You're done here?”

  “Not quite,” I grinned. “Just another minute, great queen.”

  “Very well.” She glanced at Applegate. “I'd hate to think one of my vampires was being treated less than kindly. Or was having trouble for no reason.” She fluttered her fingertips at Applegate. “I would have to take appropriate action were that the case.”

  How did she know to come and rescue me? I had my answer when I caught sight of Isabelle hovering behind Uncle Frank and grinned.

  The young vampire beamed back.

  I thought Margaret was struck speechless by fury before. I had no idea someone's face could turn that color.

  “Since Sydlynn is a member of my family,” Sunny pronounced in her precise voice, “she is, naturally, immune to witch law.” Said with contempt. And just enough pity the Enforcers twitched again at the implication they were beneath her.

  I loved Sunny so much.

  “There's the issue of Yure Danko,” I said to the vampire queen. She nodded, grave.

  “Indeed,” she said. “I've been meaning to deal with him personally.” He had finally managed to gain his feet, backing away a step as Sunny turned her gorgeous face toward him. “If you will not take care of this smudge of filth,” she returned her attention to Applegate, “I will.”

  I was about to hug her when the air on the other side of me tore wide, gaping amber fire, and, to my utter shock, a towering demon emerged.

  I knew her, so it was all good. But still. Who told my sister I needed help?

  Meira had aged well beyond her thirteen years, matured by her time spent on Demonicon and exposure to a particularly horrible strain of the power-boosting nectar. I had to admit, even I was nervous as she strode through the veil, dressed in full demon garb, her long, black curls in ornate spirals hanging almost to her platform boots. Amber eyes flared with fire, black horns shining in the light coming from behind her.

  Ahbi’s magic hugged me, practically bouncing in glee as Meira spoke.

  “WHO DARES ARREST A PRINCESS OF DEMONICON?” The air shook with the power of my sister’s voice, boosted with her magic. Meira swept to the right, showing the gap in the veil even as Ahbi's power turned me around. I heard the distinct sound of my grandmother giggling even as I gaped at the ranks of soldiers lined up in the Parade outside the Seat. A demon army waiting to march through and crush all opposition. Dad pulled a similar stunt when Mom was on trial and, I had to admit, it was an impressive threat.

  Empty. But impressive.

  Applegate spluttered. “You wouldn't dare.”

&nb
sp; Meira covered the ground between them in two strides, towering over the round woman while her Enforcers had collective fits of fear, power reaching for her. Power Ahbi held back. My sister loomed, glaring her rage at the Council Leader. “I would.”

  I think Applegate believed her. Hell, I believed her, even though I knew now it was an impossibility. Those demon soldiers wouldn't be able to cross without effigies to fill. Still.

  Applegate didn't know that.

  I couldn't help the growing smile on my face, the warmth filling me despite the freezing temperatures, as my family came to my rescue.

  How freaking awesome.

  But the show wasn't over yet, not by a long shot. Just past Applegate, under the hovering Enforcers, a black hole formed, opened. I felt Piers stiffen, heard him say, “Bollocks,” before a tall, stunning woman with short blonde hair and a stern expression walked through. Followed by a dozen others, all in gray long coats.

  She caught Piers's eye and sighed. He shrugged at her, winked.

  Applegate spun on the woman I now assumed was his mother and proved me right.

  “Southway!” She fixed her rage on the Steam Union leader as Eva Southway took in the scene. “I'm holding you equally responsible for this mess.”

  Her gray eyes, the eyes she gave her handsome offspring, met mine. “My son,” she said, heavily stressing the term, “may be misguided,” in mom speak she was going to turn him into something green and slimy when he got home, “but his convictions are unbroken.” She nodded once, sharply. “And I give him my full endorsement. The stain of the Black Souls is one the Steam Union has long meant to erase. Now,” she brushed past Applegate, “if you will please leave this property, my people will deal with our business.” She fixed Applegate with one raised eyebrow as she looked back over her shoulder at the Council Leader. “Since you are invading my magick's purview.”

  I loved her already.

  And, to be honest, I was half expecting the Sidhe to make an appearance after all this. Was a little breathless from the fun I was having. Yes, I know. It shouldn't have been fun. But it was.

  It really, really was.

  After all, it was usually me, alone, standing my ground while the bad guys ran. Having a backup choir of assorted powers was the most amazing thing I’d ever experienced.

  Giddy, I held my breath, waiting.

  No Sidhe made an appearance. Nope, not them.

  But there was one final player who still had her cards to lay out on the table.

  So I wasn't really all that shocked when the air over my head split in two in a sunburst of blue fire and my mother burst through.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Nice of you to make the party, I sent as she settled on the other side of Sunny. Pender and a large group of Enforcers remained afloat, facing off with the European guard. Things could get ugly really fast, but for some reason I wasn't feeling stressed about it.

  I guess I really didn't think the Brotherhood would risk a confrontation with so much firepower on my side. And the fact I was surrounded by those who loved me made a huge difference, when Applegate was pretty much on her own.

  Not for the first time, I wondered where her Enforcer Leader, Elliot, had gone. Had a sudden sick feeling about him.

  Hoped I was wrong.

  “You've brought our two territories to the edge of war.” Mom was in Applegate's face so fast the woman retreated, Meira stepping away to give our mother her kick at the can. Mom turned to her, smiled up at my sister like nothing was going on and patted her hand. “Hi, sweetie.”

  Meira bent and kissed Mom's cheek. “Hi, Mom.”

  Surreal.

  Their simple exchange had an amazing effect on Applegate. She froze, face suddenly slack, as though her controllers had no idea how to take the situation they found their puppet in. If I ever had a scrap of doubt the Brotherhood owned her, it was gone with that obvious lack of soul staring out of her eyes.

  And her Enforcers saw it. A ripple of despair went through them. I reached out to them, felt their power. They remained clean, all of them, not a taint of sorcery to be found. But Applegate was a lost cause.

  Mom, I can try to free her, I sent. If there was ever a good time...

  She hesitated.

  Too long, it turned out.

  Applegate twitched, face a sunken mask of absolute hate, eyes crawling with black. The Czar must have seen she'd lost, because he chose that unfortunate moment to speak up.

  “We demand—”

  He didn't get a chance to finish. Applegate spun on him with a snarl and extended one hand. Her power wrapped around his throat and squeezed, so hard and so fast no one could act quickly enough.

  Not that I wanted to save him or anything. But I would have liked to have been spared the splintering sound his spine made as she crushed his neck. I couldn’t help but wonder as I forced my mind to detach from the popping, snapping soundtrack of his death if the Brotherhood were behind this particular execution or if it was just Applegate’s build-up anger finding a place to outlet.

  Belaisle. Had to be.

  Which made me question what Yure may have known that could have helped me.

  Too late now. Damn it. But at least I’d saved the werewolves from a fate worse than Yure Danko.

  “Father!” Isabelle’s broken cry bit through the night air as she rushed forward, held back only when Piers gently caught her and kept her from reaching the dying Czar.

  Yes, he was a scumbag. But he was her dad. I got it.

  Didn’t like it. But I got it.

  The gathered sorcerers of his sect wavered, cried out, sinking to their knees to weep into their hands at the loss of their leader. My quick visual search for Vasyl turned up nothing, though. Cut and run. Back to his masters, I supposed.

  Let him go. This one was a victory for the good guys. I just wished I was there to see Liander's face when his little viper came crawling home.

  The whole place fell silent, the whistle of the wind the only sound. That and the solid thud of the Czar's dead body as Applegate released him to crash to what remained of the floor.

  Piers finally let Isabelle go, the young vampire falling to her knees at Yure’s side. She didn’t touch him, simply hugged herself and rocked forward and back while the soft keening of the werewolves marked his passing. It grew from a hum to a bellow to a roar as they threw up their arms and howled their joy into the darkness.

  Applegate turned back to me, her hate still alive and well, though her little execution seemed to have pulled her under control. She didn’t speak until the last of the werewolves fell silent again, but her message was expected. “You are no longer welcome in Europe,” she said. “And will be escorted out of my territory.”

  “No,” I said, feeling the magic around me, my mother, sister, Sunny, the Steam Union, all pushing against her. “I'm not going anywhere. You have no say over what I do and you know it. Follow your own laws for once, Applegate.”

  The woman's shriek of frustration cut through me as she lurched into the air, gathered up her Enforcers and vanished in a blast of blue flame.

  Most of her Enforcers. A handful remained behind. And my babysitters.

  Figured.

  I chose to ignore them, knowing Pender would hold them off if necessary and hugged Mom. She kissed me softly before I squeezed Meira and Sunny. Uncle Frank. Turned to Piers, who offered his hand to his mother.

  “Sydlynn Hayle,” he said. “May I introduce Eva Southway?”

  A slim girl hugged Piers as his mother shook my hand, her power touching mine out of courtesy. I fought off the immediate stab of jealousy at the sight of him hugging the thin, pretty thing, trying not to let his cheating bastard status ruin things for me. I was so pissed for her I wanted to punch him in his happy place.

  “I wish I could say it's a pleasure,” Eva said. “At least, the circumstances.”

  I nodded, refusing to look at Piers. “Me, too.” I said. “Maybe we can arrange a more formal intro
once this is over.”

  She smiled, just a little. “I look forward to it,” she said before bowing her head to Mom, Sunny and Meira.

  I turned, forgetting the fact I was as guilty of kissing someone other than my significant other, and went looking for Charlotte. Found her and the werewolves coming to gather around the fallen form of the Czar, his own people shrinking from them as they herded the few sorcerers of the sect into the center with their dead master.

  One more thing to do before this was over.

  I joined my friend over the body of her fallen master. Charlotte looked up at me, smiling, really smiling, her eyes full of tears, one crystallizing on her cheek in the cold. Only then did I remember the frigid temperature and begin to shiver, though it was at that moment I understood I really wasn't cold. It was in my head.

  Sharing the bond with Charlotte had created another new pathway inside me, freeing me from common discomfort as much as our link liberated her from the Czar.

  Another step closer to being full maji. One more benefit of membership, I supposed.

  “My people.” She turned to them as Raoul came and hugged her, Oleksander embracing her, too, kissing the top of her head. “It's time we were free forever.”

  They rumbled their unhappiness, some looking terrified, others clutching their guns to their chests as though they couldn't bear to be parted with the life they knew. I was sure she and her family would have a big job on her hands. The training of centuries of servitude wouldn't be erased overnight, no matter her wishes to the contrary.

  “Trust in your princess,” Oleksander said. Smiled at me, blue eyes full of hope. “Trust in Sydlynn Hayle.”

  I glanced down at the small group of sorcerers and realized just how few there had been all along. How twisted and horrible they were, their faces the same, some distorted by inbreeding. And when I looked up again at the growing crowd of looming werewolves, I realized how thin their thread of slavery really was.

  Time to break it.

  Charlotte must have been sharing my thoughts still through the power between us, because she took my hand.